FTW, Oct. 26, 2001,
1700 PDT - The New York Times is today reporting that, "The
Saudi family of Osama bin Laden is severing its financial
ties with the Carlyle Group, a private investment firm known
for its connections to influential Washington political
figures, executives who have been briefed on the decision
said today." Some of those influential figures include George
H.W. Bush and his son, our President.

The Times story indicates
that the decision by the bin Ladens was the result of "public
controversy" about the familyŐs investments in the nationŐs
11th largest defense contractor. The Carlyle Group employs
former President George Bush, who met with the bin Laden
family in Saudi Arabia
in 1998 and 2000. As a result of explosive increases in
the US
defense budget the Carlyle Group is facing enormous windfall
profits. And there is still strong suspicion that, in spite
of mainstream reports indicating otherwise, the family has
not severed all ties with the alleged mastermind of the
September 11th attacks on the WorldTradeCenter.

One of the most detailed
investigative reports on bin Laden and Bush business connections
was published by FTW just weeks ago. We know that it has
received worldwide attention and close scrutiny within the
Bush Administration.

While not cause for
great jubilation, this development is clear-cut evidence
that independent and alternative media sources do have an
impact. It should be, therefore, a soul-reassuring affirmation
that we must - all of us - continue our important work of
filling the canyon-sized gaps left in current reporting
by the major media.